The vice president of the World Anti-Doping Agency says the facts established in Jannik Sinner’s case justify handing him a three-month ban.
Yang Yang has told the Xinhua news agency that the penalty issued to the world No.1 via a case resolution was appropriate based on the facts that have been established. Sinner failed two anti-doping tests last year after testing positive for clostebol in March 2024. He successfully appealed his provisional suspension within 10 days of his positive test by explaining that it was caused by contamination. Sinner said his former physio was using a spray for a cut on his hand that contained the substance and then unintentionally transferred it to him during treatment. He was later found to have had no fault during a hearing with three independent experts set up by Sports Resolutions. Those findings were then issued to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) which oversees the anti-doping process in tennis.
However, last September, WADA launched an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, arguing that Sinner had a degree of responsibility as he is responsible for making sure that those he employs are following the correct protocols. A hearing was set to take place in April but earlier this month they reached a settlement that resulted in the tennis star being banned for three months. Even though they had originally sought a ban of between one and two years.
“One of its primary functions is to ensure that unique cases which do not fall squarely within the sanction framework can be adjudicated appropriately and fairly, provided that all parties and WADA agree,” WADA told Xinhua.
Yang, a former Olympic champion in speed skating who has been vice president of WADA since 2020, says the penalty issued to Sinner was appropriate based on current rules. WADA says a 12-month ban would have been “unduly severe” when taking into account “the level of seriousness of the violation given its specific facts.”
“Under the current Code revision, it is already proposed that the minimum sanction in case of contamination is a reprimand, so [the sanction is] three months. It is well within what is recommended for adoption at the world conference. So WADA considered a three-month ban was appropriate in Sinner’s case,” said Yang. “We are pleased to have been able to deal with this matter in an open and transparent way.”
As for those who have criticized the length of Sinner’s penalty, Yang has defended the process which she describes as highly complex that some people struggle to understand.
“The whole anti-doping process is highly professional and technical, which is really difficult for many to understand,” she said.
During her interview with Xinhua, Yang wasn’t asked about preferential treatment in the system which is what some have accused Sinner of getting.
As for the general topic of contamination cases in sport, Yang says work is underway on this area to help separate those who have accidentally failed a drugs tests from those cheating the system.
“As the testing methods get more advanced, more contamination cases are expected to appear. WADA is working hard to set a line between victims of contamination and the true cheaters,” she said.
“WADA will further promote its anti-doping education for more people to get better knowledge and try our best to ensure the review process open, transparent and fair.
“WADA will stay open-minded and welcome public scrutiny and good advice,.”
Sinner is allowed to return to official training activity from April 13th and will be allowed to play his next tournament in early May which will be in time for the Italian Masters.
Sinner, who has won three out of the last five Grand Slam tournaments, is yet to publically speak about his suspension. So far his only comment was via a press release sent by his legal team.
